Approaching Family Day could be expensive, Conservatives believe
By Bill Rea

Ontarians will be getting a new statutory holiday for the first time next month, but there are concerns it's going to cost a lot of money.

The creation of he new Feb. 18 holiday, to be known as Family Day, was promised by Premier Dalton Mcguinty during the fall provincial election campaign.

"There is nothing more valuable to families than time together. And yet it seems tougher than ever to find, with so many of us living such busy lives," the premier said. "That's why, on the third Monday of this coming February - and every February from now on - Ontarians deserve a new statutory holiday - Family Day."

"I can think of no better way for our government to get to work than by rewarding Ontarians for all their hard work, and for their belief that when we work together, build together and dream together, there is nothing we cannot accomplish," the premier added.

But Progressive Conservative Leader John Tory was concerned about the costs, particularly to municipalities who have to give their staffs the day off, or pay them time-and-a-half to work.

"Dalton McGuinty's new holiday next month is nothing more than another ploy cooked up by the McGuinty Liberals without any thought or planning to win votes," Tory said. "Ontarians work hard and they deserve to spend more time with their families but the cost of this holiday, which many people won't even be able to enjoy, it just too high for many towns and cities already struggling to make ends meet."

He also cited examples of what the new holiday will cost municipalities. Tory stated it will cost the City of Hamilton $750,000, plus another $200,000 if it snows. The City of Toronto will be out an estimated $2.3 million, and Tory said another $2.5 million could be added to that to cover the cost of running the TTC for the day.

"At a time when the provincial government needs to step up and relieve Ontario municipalities of some of the financial burdens they face, this holiday is yet another McGuinty download," he declared.

Caledon Mayor Marolyn Morrison said the day is going to carry a cost for the Town.

"It's going to have an impact of approximately $65,000 on the Town," she declared, adding that's assuming it doesn't snow that day. If crews have to be called out to clear the road, another $60,000 could be added to that tab.

Morrison also pointed out $250,000 in additional expenses adds about another percentage to the property tax bill, so a snowy day Feb. 18 could require the equivalent of a half a per cent tax increase to cover the costs.

She added that all assumed arenas and recreation facilities are closed for the holiday. If they open, people staffing them will have to be paid time-and-a-half.

As well, the advent of the new holiday is creating a lot of confusion, according to Dufferin - Caledon MPP Sylvia Jones.

She said she's been getting calls from people who say schools are supposed to be closed, but does that apply to banks too, etc. As well, she said the holiday is causing problems when it comes to some collective agreements, with some employers refusing to grant the extra day.

Since some people will have to work while others have the day off, some parents will be facing the problem of finding day care for their kids.

"My guess is it was not thought through," Jones commented, adding the government didn't consult with employers, and didn't think enough about who would and wouldn't qualify. "What we're finding is a lot of sectors don't qualify."